Olivier Humbrecht MW joins Phantom Creek Estates as Consultant

This press release came to my inbox today. I was quite surprised. It is quite a feat to collaborate with Oliver Humbrecht from Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. They make amazing wines in Alsace. I tried to get a tour of the winery when I was in Alsace several years ago but wasn’t able to get in as I did not make an advanced reservation. If you have never tried Zind-Humbrecht wines you should. And now you can enjoy the experience through Phantom Creek Estates.

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Olivier Humbrecht joins Phantom Creek

May 1, 2018 – Oliver, British Columbia: Phantom Creek Estates is pleased to announce a long-term collaboration with Olivier Humbrecht MW of Alsace’s Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. Phantom Creek is Humbrecht’s first and only winery consulting project.

Olivier Humbrecht, France’s first Master of Wine, is the owner and winemaker of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht. The renowned estate has been in his family since 1620, and today is one of the world’s leading Pinot Gris and Riesling producers. Humbrecht initiated the winery’s transition to organic and biodynamic practices in 1997. He is now the President of Biodyvin, a prestigious biodynamic certifying body based in Europe.

As Phantom Creek expands its portfolio to include Pinot Gris and Riesling, two of British Columbia’s signature grape varieties, Humbrecht will be instrumental in helping to select and develop vineyard sites that have the potential for excellence.

“Having visited three times already, I know the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys are capable of producing exceptional Pinot Gris and Riesling with great vineyard character,” said Humbrecht. “With the ambition of ownership and the skilled team at Phantom Creek, I am enthusiastic about what we can achieve.”

Working closely with Winemaker Ross Wise, Humbrecht will have an integral role in Phantom Creek’s white winemaking program. The state of the art winery, including an Alsatian inspired foudre room, was designed with Humbrecht’s input.

Humbrecht will also guide Phantom Creek’s transition to organic and biodynamic farming practices. The winery’s 67 acres of estate vineyards on the Black Sage Bench, including the historic Phantom Creek and Sundial Vineyards, have been farmed according to organic practices since 2017.

“We believe organic and biodynamic farming will result in the highest quality fruit from our estate vineyards,” said Ross Wise. “As the authority on biodynamic farming, Olivier is an indispensable source of knowledge.”

Phantom Creek’s inaugural wines will be released in Spring 2019, coinciding with the opening of the winery. Since 2016, the winery has farmed heat-seeking varieties ideally suited to the South Okanagan, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.

About Phantom Creek Estates

On the sunbathed Black Sage Bench in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Phantom Creek Estates farms exceptional wines from historic vineyards. The winery’s estate vineyards, including the acclaimed Phantom Creek Vineyard, are in transition to organic and biodynamic practices. By farming historic vineyards with care and precision, Phantom Creek produces wines that celebrate and speak to where they are grown. Today, Winemaker Ross Wise continues the tradition of producing single vineyard wines from these sites. The winery is projected to open in Spring 2019. To follow the progress, visit phantomcreekestates.com.

About Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Winegrowing is a passion that has been passed down from father to son in the Humbrecht family since the 17th century. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht was created in 1959 by Léonard Humbrecht, and is now led by his son Olivier Humbrecht. Olivier became the first French Master of Wine in 1989. Today, the domaine comprises of 40 hectares of vines, spread out over an array of different terroirs in the geological patchwork which is the Alsatian wine region. The expression of terroir is reinforced by cultivating the vines organically and according to biodynamic principles.

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Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings and restaurant reviews.
MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.